Bigelow Tea, the U.S. specialty tea market leader, today announced that all the company’s electricity comes from 100 percent renewable sources, which have been certified by Green-e Energy, the national leader in clean energy certification.  

Cindi Bigelow, third-generation president & CEO of the family-owned company, which manufactures “Constant Comment” and more than 150 varieties of tea, said sustainability has always been a core business value of the company and this is an important step in advancing the company’s mission.

All the electricity for Bigelow’s facilities in Fairfield, Connecticut, Boise, Idaho, and Louisville, Kentucky comes from Green-e certified renewable, carbon-free sources, 90 percent wind and 10 percent solar, which reduces the company’s carbon footprint by 12 million pounds.       

“We have always been committed to our environmental, sustainability and community programs,” Bigelow said. “Doing the right thing has been part of the company’s DNA since it was founded by my grandmother Ruth Campbell Bigelow 75 years ago. This is who we are as a company.”

Bigelow Tea, which is a Certified B Corporation, achieved this goal through investments in energy-saving projects, such as LED lighting, motion detectors, energy efficient equipment and conversation efforts by its employees, Bigelow said. This allowed the company to invest in renewable energy certificates, known as RECs, for the purchase of 100 percent clean energy.

To receive Green-e certification from the Center for Resource Solutions, a company’s energy supply must come from at least 50 percent renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal. At 100 percent renewable, Bigelow Tea surpasses the minimum requirement.

Bigelow will adhere to the Green-e Energy Code of Conduct and meet strict disclosure and truth-in-advertising requirements. It will also undergo an annual third-party verification audit and review of marketing materials.

“We are very proud to be operating with 100 percent renewable energy because this is a goal that complies with our mission statement, written more than 30 years ago,” Bigelow said. “To me, ethical leadership means thinking about the long term and ensuring we are doing the right thing for our future. It means constantly working to create an environment of pride and making a difference every day, so we all feel motivated to be the best we can possibly be. This is also the reason we became certified as a B Corp.”

To be recognized as a B Corp (B stands for “benefit”), a company conducts a rigorous assessment of its business practices and must meet the highest standards of environmental and social performance and include the interests of its stakeholders among the corporate responsibilities. In addition, Bigelow Tea was designated a “Zero Waste to Landfill” company in 2012. To qualify, a company must divert 90 percent of its waste from the landfill. Bigelow Tea exceeded that minimum requirement at its three facilities by composting, recycling and relying on trash-to-energy plants.

“Our purpose as a company has always been about much more than making profits,” Bigelow said. “We’re committed to good citizenship, protecting the environment, sustainability, ethical business practices, accountability, transparency and supporting our communities. This is the roadmap to how we run the company.”     

About Bigelow Tea Company

Based in Fairfield, CT and 100% family owned, the Bigelow Tea Company pioneered the specialty tea category nearly 75 years ago. The three-generational company takes pride in its heritage and successful growth from a one-product, entrepreneurial venture into America’s leading specialty tea brand. Producing 2 billion tea bags annually, the Bigelow Tea line includes more than 150 varieties of Flavored, Traditional, Green, Herbal, Decaffeinated, steep by Bigelow Organic and Bigelow Benefits Wellness teas – including its flagship specialty tea flavor, “Constant Comment”®, an all-time American favorite. Bigelow Tea products are available nationwide. For more information, visit our website (www.bigelowtea.com) or contact: media@bigelowtea.com

About Green-e Energy
Green-e is the nation's leading independent consumer protection program for the sale of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reductions in the retail market. Green-e offers certification and verification of renewable energy and greenhouse gas mitigation products through Green-e Energy, a renewable energy certification program; Green-e Climate, a greenhouse gas emission reduction certification program; and Green-e Marketplace, program that licenses the Green-e logo for organizations that purchase or generate sufficient quantities of renewable energy. To learn more about Green-e certified products and programs available in all 50 states, visit www.green-e.org.

About Center for Resource Solutions
Green-e is a program of the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS), a San Francisco-based nonprofit with a global impact. CRS brings forth expert responses to climate change issues with the speed and effectiveness necessary to provide real-time solutions. Its leadership through collaboration and environmental innovation builds policies and consumer-protection mechanisms in renewable energy, greenhouse gas reductions, and energy efficiency that foster healthy and sustained growth in national and international markets.

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